Abstract
This paper uses a mixed-methods approach to explore the increased use of domestic workers in the United States and the political economy around reforms to protect these workers from labor standards violations. Domestic workers are predominantly female with a high proportion of immigrants. Labor force survey data indicate that the number of home health aides has surpassed housekeepers and child care providers, and qualitative evidence points to multiple problems with wage and hour violations and poor working conditions. Case study evidence for New Jersey from a representative household survey indicates that the majority of household employers are unfamiliar with legislation that governs the wages and hours of their domestic workers. More in-depth interviews suggest that wage theft is the main concern among advocates for low-wage workers, which could be addressed by a "domestic worker bill of rights" as passed in eight other states or by targeted wage theft legislation that includes increased employer liability in wage recovery lawsuits.